The Brazilian mentor, whose contract with the South African Football Association expires at the end of next month, said Mosimane had learnt the ropes at higher level over the past four years.

Mosimane served as joint assistant coach with Brazilian Jairo Leal with Parreira and his predecessor Joel Santana.

"Pitso has been with us since we started four years ago and I have no doubt he is ready to coach Bafana Bafana," Parreira said.

"If you are a leader, it is your responsibility to groom your successor. I'm happy to say I have done that and Pitso is the man for the job.

"I just hope Safa will confirm Pitso as coach of Bafana Bafana and start with the preparations for the 2014 World Cup immediately.

"We (the technical staff) have laid a solid foundation for the new coach to take the team to another level. The team now has shape.

"Bafana Bafana have identity. We are disappointed to have bowed out of the tournament in the first round but the support for the team was incredible. Even now when I walk in the streets, South Africans stop me to say 'thank you for making us proud after the win over France on Tuesday'.

"I have enjoyed every moment of my stay in this country. In fact, South Africa is my second home because of the wonderful people in this country."

Mosimane has already expressed his ambition to replace Parreira.

Barker said yesterday: "Pitso has been there for four years. He knows the quality of the players.

"I think it's a good move. We will support it.

"I think Pitso and Gavin Hunt are the two coaches who should take over. It is also the norm for the assistant coach to take over."

Hunt backed the move to appoint a local coach for the job.

But he was not chuffed when told about Barker's idea of having him and Pitso at the helm.

"You can't have two (of us)," he said, "you need one."

On Parreira's suggestion to have Mosimane as coach, Hunt said: "Parreira would say that anyway. Actually that does not surprise me."